MONROE COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE REMINDS RESIDENTS HOW TO BE SAFER AT HOME DURING COVID-19

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Cooking, heating, and electrical equipment are among the leading causes of home fires each year. While people are following the “stay at home” initiative and engaging in these activities, it is important to use best practices for fire safety. Here are some reminders from Monroe County’s Fire Marshal’s Office:

Cooking

  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Check your food regularly!
  • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
  • Make sure all pot and pan handles are turned in and away from the edge.
  • Be on alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, refrain from using the stove or stovetop.
  • Keep children away from the kitchen while cooking.

 Electrical

  • When charging phones and other digital devices, only use a certified charging cord or the charging cord that came with the device.
  • Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch.
  • Only use one heat-producing appliance plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time.
  • Major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet.
  • Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets.
  • Use a light bulb with the right wattage.

Fire Prevention Devices

  • Smoke alarms are essential, they should be located on every level of the home, in each bedroom, and near all sleeping areas. Test them monthly to make sure they’re working.
  • Home fire sprinklers can dramatically reduce the heat, flames, and smoke produced in a fire.
  • Fire extinguishers are a great addition to a fire response plan.
  • Install Carbon Monoxide detectors if you use gas inside your home.
  • Be prepared, have an escape plan and emergency supply kit.

Monroe County Fire Rescue and the Fire Marshal’s Office look forward to resuming the fire prevention community outreach program soon. Check out www.sparky.org/ for Fire Safety educational activities for kid’s videos, games & apps.

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